Trump Plays 'Approved Rally Playlist' for Reporters on Air Force One Featuring Dolly and WWE Theme

Donald Trump had a large speaker wheeled into the press cabin of Air Force One on a flight back to Washington from Ireland so he could play what he called his 'Approved Rally Playlist' for travelling reporters, telling them he wanted to give them 'wonderful, happy music'.

The president said he had selected most of the songs himself. The playlist included Dolly Parton's 'Jolene', Lesley Gore's 'You Don't Own Me', Cat Stevens' 'Wild World' and R.E.M.'s 'Losing My Religion'.

Other tracks were The Who's 'Baba O'Riley', Luciano Pavarotti's 'Nessun Dorma', ABBA's 'Fernando' and Guns N' Roses' 'November Rain'. It also included 'Rest in Peace', the WWE entrance theme associated with The Undertaker.

Flight Attendant Introduces Speaker To Press Pool

The music began after Air Force One's senior flight attendant asked reporters whether they wanted to hear Trump's playlist. About 43 minutes after the music started, Trump returned to the press area to check on the journalists.

He said he had picked most of the songs and 'just want[ed] to make you happy'. Trump also instructed his aides to keep writing down the song titles as each track played so reporters could keep a record of the playlist.

Trump Praises Dolly Parton During Flight

Trump spoke about Dolly Parton, calling her 'the greatest' and saying his team 'love' and 'like' her. He referred to her death as 'a sad moment when Dolly left us' and said there were 'a lot of Dolly songs' on the playlist.

He also described music as an important part of his own life, saying it is 'what keeps me happy'. 'Rest in Peace', composed by Jim Johnston, is closely associated with The Undertaker's long-running WWE character.

Artists and Estates Objected to Trump's Use of Their Music

Some of the artists represented on the playlist, or their estates, have previously objected to Trump's use of their music.

ABBA and record label Universal Music demanded that Trump's campaign stop using songs including 'Fernando', 'Dancing Queen' and 'The Winner Takes It All'. The complaint followed unauthorised use at campaign rallies, including an event in St Cloud, Minnesota, in August 2024.

ABBA member Björn Ulvaeus and Universal also called for related video footage to be removed from campaign material.

Pavarotti's widow, Nicoletta Mantovani Pavarotti, and his three daughters have opposed the unauthorised use of recordings including 'Nessun Dorma' and 'Ave Maria'.

They said Trump's position on immigration was incompatible with the late tenor's values. They also pointed to Pavarotti's work as a United Nations Messenger of Peace and his fundraising for refugees.

R.E.M. members Michael Stipe and Mike Mills have repeatedly criticised Trump's campaign and sent legal objections over the use of songs including 'Losing My Religion', 'Everybody Hurts' and 'It's the End of the World as We Know It'.

Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose has also formally requested that songs including 'November Rain' and 'Sweet Child O' Mine' not be played at Trump events.

The White Stripes' Jack White and Meg White separately objected to a Trump campaign video using 'Seven Nation Army' in August 2024. They filed a federal lawsuit in September that year, alleging copyright and trademark infringement. The suit was voluntarily dismissed two months later, shortly after the 2024 election.

Other Musicians Have Backed Trump

Trump has also received public support from several musicians, including Jason Aldean, Ye, Kid Rock, Sexyy Red, Waka Flocka and Ted Nugent. Carrie Underwood performed 'America the Beautiful' at the Capitol Rotunda during a January 2025 inauguration event. Toby Keith performed at a Trump rally before the president's first inauguration in 2017.

The Village People also agreed to perform at events linked to Trump's January 2025 inauguration. The group said music should be performed without regard to political differences.